finished to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finished to" is not grammatically correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is possible that you may have heard it in spoken English in a specific context or dialect, but it is not considered standard usage. Instead, you can use the phrase "finished with" to indicate completion of an action or task. For example: "I have finished with my project." Alternatively, you can use the phrase "finished to a certain quality/standard" to describe the level of completion or quality achieved. For example: "The project was finished to a high standard." Example: "I have finished with my homework for the night, so now I can relax." or "The painting was finished to perfection, with every detail carefully crafted."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He finished to applause.

The New York Times

She finished to light applause.

The New York Times

I've just finished To Kill a Mockingbird.

The Guardian - Books

It's by no means finished, to answer your next question.

The New York Times

He finished to a big ovation, his chest heaving.

The New York Times - Sports

They finished to roaring applause and left the stage sweating and bearing boyish smiles.

The New York Times

The face of the middle figure looked finished to me, and full of life.

The New Yorker

I think it might actually be finished" to running commentary on Middle-eastern politics.

Independent

Although floors are finished to resemble tile, they are a dyed rust-colored concrete.

The New York Times

She finished to cries of "shame" from the audience in the hall.

The New Yorker

Paul Martin waited until Ms. DeCicco finished to have his say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "finished to" in formal writing; opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "finished with" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "finished to" when they intend to express a passive action, for example, "The project was finished to a high standard." Instead, use a more direct phrasing: "The project was finished to meet a high standard" or "The project was finished with attention to detail."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finished to" functions primarily as part of a verb phrase, often attempting to describe the state or result of an action. However, as Ludwig AI notes, this construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "finished to" appears in a variety of sources, including news articles, scientific papers, and wikis, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Alternative phrases such as "finished with", "completed by", or a complete restructuring of the sentence are recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. Despite its common occurrence, especially in informal contexts, adhering to correct grammar is essential for professional and academic writing. Therefore, it's better to avoid the usage of "finished to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completed to

Focuses on the act of bringing something to a conclusion, similar to finishing but emphasizes thoroughness.

brought to a close

Emphasizes the act of formally ending something, suggesting a planned or deliberate conclusion.

concluded with

Highlights the final action or element that marks the end of something.

reached completion

Stresses the attainment of a state of being finished, indicating a successful culmination.

was finalized for

Indicates that something has been made ready or complete for a specific purpose.

ended with

Simple alternative emphasizing the final event or detail.

finished by

Highlights the agent or means by which something was completed.

completed by

Similar to "finished by" but emphasizing completeness.

terminated at

A more formal term for ending, often used in technical contexts.

wrapped up by

An informal way to express the completion of something, suggesting a sense of closure.

FAQs

Is "finished to" grammatically correct?

No, "finished to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "finished with" or rephrase the sentence entirely.

What are some alternatives to "finished to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "completed to", "concluded with", or "brought to a close" to convey a similar meaning.

How can I avoid using "finished to" in my writing?

Review your sentences and replace "finished to" with more appropriate phrases like "finished with", "completed by", or rephrase the sentence to use a different verb construction.

When is it acceptable to use "finished to"?

While not grammatically standard, "finished to" might appear in specific regional dialects or informal speech. However, it is advisable to avoid it in formal or professional writing.